The role of health behaviours across the life-course in the socioeconomic patterning of all-cause mortality: the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Prospective Cohort Study

Whitley, E. , Batty, D., Hunt, K. , Popham, F. and Benzeval, M. (2014) The role of health behaviours across the life-course in the socioeconomic patterning of all-cause mortality: the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Prospective Cohort Study. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 47(2), pp. 148-157. (doi: 10.1007/s12160-013-9539-x)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9539-x

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Socioeconomic differentials in mortality are increasing in many industrialised countries.<p></p> <b>Purpose:</b> This study aims to examine the role of behaviours (smoking, alcohol, exercise, and diet) in explaining socioeconomic differentials in mortality and whether this varies over the life course, between cohorts and by gender.<p></p> <b>Methods:</b> Analysis of two representative population cohorts of men and women, born in the 1950s and 1930s, were performed. Health behaviours were assessed on five occasions over 20 years.<p></p> <b>Results:</b> Health behaviours explained a substantial part of the socioeconomic differentials in mortality. Cumulative behaviours and those that were more strongly associated with socioeconomic status had the greatest impact. For example, in the 1950s cohort, the age-sex adjusted hazard ratio comparing respondents with manual versus non-manual occupational status was 1.80 (1.25, 2.58); adjustment for cumulative smoking over 20 years attenuated the association by 49 %, diet by 43 %, drinking by 13 % and inactivity by only 1%.<p></p> <b>Conclusions:</b> Health behaviours have an important role in explaining socioeconomic differentials in mortality.<p></p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hunt, Professor Kathryn and Batty, Mr David and Whitley, Dr Elise and Popham, Dr Frank and Benzeval, Dr Michaela
Authors: Whitley, E., Batty, D., Hunt, K., Popham, F., and Benzeval, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0883-6612
ISSN (Online):1532-4796
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 The Authors
First Published:First published in Annals of Behavioural Medicine early online 26 Sept 2013
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
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